Hi guys,

I need some advice. My computer just locks up whenever it feels like it and absolutely nothing responds. The only thing I can do is reset it.

Sometimes it locks up not long after I've reset it again and other times it will be good for hours. When it locks up the screen, mouse, music, everything just stops.

I've cleaned all of the dust out thinking it might of been getting to hot and I've swapped the RAM chips around thinking one or two of them might of been faulty but it doesn't make any difference. It still locks up.

It's 3 years old and I know that means it's outdated in computer terms but it's good enough for what I do so if I can avoid buying a new one I'd rather do that.

Can anyone offer any ideas on what the problem might be and what I should do?

Thanks.

Sounds like a RAM issue to me, you might need to get a few new sticks, or borrow someone elses for a day or so to see if it really is RAM.

I brought an extra 1GB of Amicroe RAM for it 12 months ago.

I've tried running just the Amicroe RAM and it still locks up. I've tried running just the original RAM and it still locks up.

Ok, not the RAM...Strange lockups are almost always a ram issue..

Id say try error checking the hard drive, seeing if a deep scan brings up any bad sectors, failing that maybe a motherboard issue of some sort

Try checking the Event Log, In Vista its in Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer.

It should be in the similar place for XP, Im not sure at the moment, Im on my Laptop with Vista on it.

If theres nothing there, Honestly I would start backing everything up to DVD's or Portable Storage, And reformat your HDD's.

It could be overheating, check CPU and Power supply fans. Pull the side cover off and temporarily setup a fan to blow onto the motherboard...

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If nothing in the event log then check your CPU cooler. If the fan has stopped (or is running very slow) on that and it gets too hot everything stops.

Good call JP300. I didnt think of overheating before, makes sense

Adam,

If when it locks up the CAPS lock and NumLock lights do not go on and off when you press them then it is a hardware lockup.

I would make sure all the fans are working as I usually find it is heat related. If you have compressed air go and give it a dedusting.

I do mine every 6 months and it is amazing how much dust can accumliate.

Try a new power supply.. dodgy power supplies can cause all kinds of strange issues.